U.S. patent application number 13/103971 was filed with the patent office on 2011-09-01 for illuminated eyeglass assembly.
Invention is credited to Edward Beiner.
Application Number | 20110211156 13/103971 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42103125 |
Filed Date | 2011-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110211156 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beiner; Edward |
September 1, 2011 |
Illuminated Eyeglass Assembly
Abstract
An illuminated eyeglass assembly includes one or more temple
members having an integral lighting assembly structured and
disposed to provide an illumination region proximate a user, for
example, to illuminate an item within an arm's length of the user.
Each integral light assembly includes at least one light source
interconnected to a power source via a switch mechanism. Each of
the light sources produce a light beam, and the light sources are
structured and disposed such that the light beams provide an
illumination region immediately proximate the user, thereby
permitting the user to perceptively view an item in a low light
environment, such as, to permit the user to read menu or a check in
a restaurant or nightclub. A system is provided to retrofit an
existing eyeglass assembly with one or more temple member having an
integral lighting assembly.
Inventors: |
Beiner; Edward; (Pinecrest,
FL) |
Family ID: |
42103125 |
Appl. No.: |
13/103971 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12799137 |
Apr 19, 2010 |
7938553 |
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13103971 |
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11978401 |
Oct 29, 2007 |
7699486 |
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12799137 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
351/158 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02C 11/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/158 |
International
Class: |
G02C 11/04 20060101
G02C011/04 |
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. Illuminated eyewear comprising: a pair of elongate temple arms
each having forward and rearward end portions; inner and outer
surface portions of each temple arm having a substantially flat
configuration and extending lengthwise along the temple arms; a
front support including a bridge portion extending laterally
between and interconnected to the forward end portions of the
temple arms with the temple arms and bridge portion adapted to be
supported on a user's ears and nose, respectively; a light source
mounted to each temple arm to project forwardly from the forward
end portion thereof; a plurality of disc-shaped batteries for
providing power to the light sources; and a narrow battery
compartment of each temple arm laterally between the respective
flat inner and outer surface portions thereof, the narrow battery
compartment having a thin lateral width between the flat temple arm
inner and outer surface portions sized so that a pair of the disc
batteries are received in a non-overlapping arrangement in each
compartment with main surfaces of the batteries facing the flat
inner and outer surface portions of the respective temple arms.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] The present application is a continuation of previously
filed and currently U.S. patent application having Ser. No.
11/978,401, filed on Oct. 29, 2007, which is to issue as U.S. Pat.
No. 7,699,486 on Apr. 20, 2010, and which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to an illuminated eyeglass
assembly comprising one or more integral lighting assembly
structured and disposed to generate an illumination region to an
area immediately proximate a user, where sufficient illumination is
provided to enable the user to perceptively view an item in a low
light environment.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Eyeglasses have been utilized for a myriad of purposes
throughout the years. One of the more common applications include
prescription eyeglasses which many people require so as to be able
to see clearly, and in more extreme cases, in order to allow a
person to be able to see at all. Another common application for
eyeglasses include standardized reading glasses which include
lenses designed to provide a specific overall degree of
magnification to objects which are viewed through them.
Additionally, many people have at least one pair of sunglasses
which are utilized to at least partially block the often blinding
rays of the sun. Yet another common application is related to
safety. For example, many manufacturing concerns require their
employees and visitors to its facilities to wear glasses having
safety lenses to protect their eyes from potential airborne
hazards. In still another application, eyeglasses have been
utilized simply as fashion or novelty items, having clear glass or
plastic lenses which have no effect on the user's vision.
[0006] Eyeglasses utilized for the above purposes have been
modified in various ways to incorporate some form of a lighting
apparatus. There are many circumstances where an additional amount
of lighting in the proximity of the user may be required. In
addition, there are numerous circumstances wherein a user may need
to direct light onto an object while the user's hands remain free
for another activity and, in such circumstances, a lighting
apparatus which a user may direct with a movement of his or her
head have been developed. One such occasion is when the user is
trying to view something in his or her hands in a low lighting
situation such as often occurs, for example, while reading a menu
or a check in a restaurant.
[0007] A number of devices have been developed which incorporate a
lighting apparatus, similar to a standard penlight, attached to a
standard pair of eyeglass frames in various manners. One such
device simply provides a clip mechanism which is utilized to attach
a standard penlight to an outer surface of one arm of a pair of
eyeglasses. While this device achieves the desired result of
providing a source of illumination in the proximity of the user
which may be directed by the movement of the user's head, the
device is bulky and awkward to wear, due to the unbalance in weight
caused by the penlight, thereby requiring the user to unduly
readjust the eyeglasses into an operative position. In addition,
the presence of the penlight on the outer surface of the arm of the
eyeglasses detracts from the overall appearance of the eyeglasses,
and thus, the user. It is believed that most persons who require
eyeglasses to enhance their vision prefer not to attract additional
attention to the fact that they require glasses, thus, a device
which further detracts from the overall appearance of a pair of
eyeglasses is likely to limit the number of people who will
actually utilize it.
[0008] Another device which provides lighting includes an integral
clamp to attach the lighting apparatus to one arm of the
eyeglasses. This again results in an unbalanced overall device,
which may result in discomfort to the user. Additionally, this
device includes a separate power and/or switch mechanism which is
attached to the lighting apparatus by an external cord or wire
which, once again, detracts from the overall appearance of the
device and the user, as well as being a source of further
discomfort.
[0009] In order to offset the negative aspects of the externally
attached lighting mechanisms described above, a number of devices
have been developed in which at least one arm of the eyeglass frame
is utilized to house the lighting apparatus as well as at least a
portion of its power supply and/or such switch means as is required
to operate the lighting apparatus. While a number of these devices
incorporate a lighting apparatus on both arms of the pair of
eyeglasses, thus overcoming the balance problem identified above,
they still result in a bulky and awkward appearance of the arms,
which must be oversized to accommodate the lighting apparatus, the
power supply, switch means, etc., and thus, the overall appearance
of the eyeglasses themselves is, once again, bulky and awkward. In
addition, a number of these devices include rather complex
construction features which are likely to result in increased
manufacturing costs, thus making such devices less accessible for
widespread usage among consumers.
[0010] In addition, several of these types of devices include a
power supply and switch means which are not housed on the arm of
the eyeglasses, but rather are included in a separate unit which is
connected to the lighting apparatus on the eyeglasses via a power
cord or wire, as described above. While this reduces some of the
problems related to the bulkiness of the eyeglass assembly, it
creates a new problem related to mobility of the overall assembly,
particularly in those devices which require an alternating current
to supply power to the lighting apparatus. In addition, as noted
above, the presence of a power cord or wire extending down from the
eyeglasses further detracts from the overall appearance of the
eyeglasses and the user, and provides a further source of
discomfort.
[0011] With the advent of micro-electronic components, devices have
been developed incorporating much smaller lighting apparatus in
combination with eyeglasses, for example, light emitting diodes,
which resolve some of the negative aspects related to the devices
described above. These types of devices, however, have thus far
been limited to novelty type devices. For example, one such device
is structured merely to give the appearance of light emanating from
the eyes of the user, while others have been developed to provide a
flashing array of lights about the frame of a pair of eyeglasses,
neither of which serves the useful purposes described above.
Additionally, such devices, at least with respect to those
employing a flashing array of lights, require additional circuitry
to achieve the flashing effect which likely results in increased
cost and, therefore, limits their widespread usage.
[0012] As such, it would be beneficial to provide a lightweight,
comfortable, attractive, and affordable pair of eyeglasses
incorporating integral lighting which is simple and economical to
manufacture to allow widespread usage among persons requiring such
a device. It would be preferable for such a device to incorporate
an integral lighting assembly including a light source, a power
source and a switch mechanism in an unobtrusive manner, i.e., the
eyeglass assembly must be comfortable for a user to wear and the
integral lighting assembly must not be readily apparent to other
persons when not in use. Additionally, it would be helpful for such
an assembly to be structured to provide an illumination region
proximate a user to facilitate illumination of an item which the
user is holding, such as a menu or a check, in a low light
environment. Further, it would be beneficial to provide a system
whereby existing eyeglasses could be readily and economically
retrofitted to incorporate an integral lighting assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention is directed to an illuminated eyeglass
assembly comprising an integral lighting assembly. The illuminated
eyeglass assembly includes a frame and a pair of temple members
which are cooperatively structured to support the illuminated
eyeglass assembly on a user's head in an operative position.
Additionally, the frame includes a nosepiece and, in at least one
embodiment, a pair of lens support members structured to facilitate
interconnecting a pair of lenses to the frame. In the present
invention, the lenses may be any one of the types commonly included
in eyeglasses including, by way of example only, specific
prescription lenses, standard correctional lenses as in, for
example, over-the-counter reading glasses, sunglass lenses, tinted
lenses, or clear, non-corrective glass or plastic lenses.
[0014] More in particular, one or both of the temple members of the
present invention may include an integral lighting assembly. The
temple members are structured and disposed to cooperatively
interconnect to the frame, thereby permitting the integral lighting
assembly to be mounted to the illuminated eyeglass assembly in an
unobtrusive manner. Specifically, the integral lighting assembly is
incorporated into the temple member(s) in a manner which provides a
comfortable fit on a user, while at the same time minimizing any
indication of its presence when its corresponding light source is
not illuminated, as will be appreciated better from the detailed
description and figures which follow.
[0015] In addition, the temple members of the present invention are
structured and disposed such that the light beams generated by
corresponding light sources of the integral lighting assemblies
produce an illumination region proximate the user. The illumination
region is at least partially defined by the light beam(s) producing
sufficient illumination to permit the user to perceptively view an
item disposed between about 2 to 4 feet from the user's head in a
low light environment, such as, to permit the user to read a menu
or check in a dimly lit restaurant or nightclub, a ticket or to see
a ticket or program in a darkened theater, etc. In at least one
embodiment, the illumination region is at least partially defined
by an overlap of the light beams generated by the light sources,
wherein the overlap is disposed approximately an arm's length from
the user, i.e., approximately 2 to 4 feet from the illuminated
eyeglass assembly.
[0016] Each integral lighting assembly of the present invention
also includes a power source and a switch mechanism. The power
source may include one or more dry cell batteries, and in one
preferred embodiment, the power source comprises a plurality of
replaceable dry cell batteries, thereby allowing the user to extend
the overall useful life of the eyeglass assembly. At least one
embodiment of the integral lighting assembly includes a power
supply assembly structured and disposed to support a power source
in an operable disposition in a corresponding one of the temple
members.
[0017] In one alternate embodiment, the integral lighting assembly
of the present invention comprises an auto-test circuit structured
to initiate a circuit test, the circuit test being at least
partially defined by activation of a corresponding light source.
More in particular, a circuit test is initiated upon disposition of
said power source into said operative disposition in said power
supply assembly, wherein the circuit test is terminated by
deactivation of the light source, such as by operation of the
switch mechanism.
[0018] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become more clear when the drawings as well
as the detailed description are taken into consideration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] For a fuller understanding of the present invention,
reference is made to the following detailed description in
connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an
illuminated eyeglass assembly having an integral lighting assembly
illustrating a power supply assembly and a switch mechanism
disposed in a substantially imperceptible orientation.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the embodiment of
FIG. 1 along lines 2-2 thereof.
[0022] FIG. 3 is the partial perspective view of the illuminated
eyeglass assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating one embodiment of a cover
of the power supply assembly disposed in an open configuration.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the illuminated
eyeglass assembly of FIG. 1 further illustrating the cover of the
power supply assembly.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of an
illuminated eyeglass assembly of FIG. 1 disposed in an operative
position on a user's head illustrating an illumination region, and
the power supply assembly and the switch mechanism disposed in a
substantially imperceptible orientation.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating a design of
one embodiment of an illuminated eyeglass assembly.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a top view of the design of FIG. 6.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a front view of the design of FIG. 6.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a right side view of the design of FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a left side view of the design of FIG. 6.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the design of FIG. 6.
[0031] FIG. 12 is a rear view of the design of FIG. 6.
[0032] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0033] As indicated above, the present invention is directed to an
illuminated eyeglass assembly with an integral lighting apparatus,
generally shown as 10 throughout the figures. The illuminated
eyeglass assembly 10 includes a frame 12 having a nosepiece 14 and,
in at least one embodiment, a pair of lens support members 15. In
the embodiment of FIG. 1, the lens support members 15 are
structured to substantially surround the periphery of each of a
pair of lenses 16. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 2, an
interconnect 19 is provided proximate a distal portion of each lens
support member 15 such that each of a pair of temple members 18 may
be interconnected to the frame 12. The interconnect 19, in at least
one embodiment, comprises a hinged or pivot type of connection such
that the temple members 18 may be disposed in a folded orientation
for storage. In an alternate embodiment, the interconnects 19 may
provide for a rigid connection of the temple members 18 to the
frame 12. The lens support members 15, in at least one embodiment,
are structured to only partially surround a periphery of a
corresponding one of the lenses 16, for example, along an upper
portion of the periphery of each. In yet one further embodiment,
the frame 12 comprises a "frameless" design, such that the
nosepiece 14 is directly attached to each lens, and an interconnect
19 is affixed directly to a distal portion of each lens 16, to
facilitate interconnection of the temple members 18.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pair of temple members 18 are
interconnected to the frame 12, at a corresponding interconnect 19,
such that the frame 12 and the temple members 18 are cooperatively
structured to support the illuminated eyeglass assembly 10 on the
head of a user in an operative position. More in particular, each
temple member 18 is structured to overly at least a portion of a
different one of the user's ears, while the nosepiece 14 is
structured to rest securely yet comfortably along the bridge of the
user's nose, such that the illuminated eyeglass assembly 10 remains
in a substantially stationary position on the user's head during
normal usage.
[0035] The components of the frame 12 of the present invention may
be constructed from one or more of the variety of materials
commonly utilized for manufacturing eyeglass frames including, but
not limited to, metal, plastic, or other synthetic materials.
Further, the illuminated eyeglass assembly may utilize any of a
number of different types of lenses 16 including, but not limited
to, prescription lenses, standard magnification lenses, safety
lenses, tinted, lenses, sunglass lenses, etc.
[0036] The illuminated eyeglass assembly 10, as noted above,
further comprises an integral lighting assembly, generally as shown
as 20. In particular, the integral lighting assembly 20 is disposed
in a cooperative engagement with the frame 12, wherein cooperative
engagement is at least partially defined by the integral lighting
assembly 20 being structured and disposed in an unobtrusive manner,
such as is shown throughout the figures. In particular, and as
illustrated best in FIGS. 1 and 2, the integral lighting assembly
20 is at least partially mounted onto one or both of the temple
members 18 of the frame 12 while maintaining normal relative
dimensions of the components of the temple members 18 and the frame
12. Thus, the overall appearance of a standard pair of eyeglasses
is maintained, unlike the numerous prior art devices requiring
oversized frame components to accommodate the lighting apparatus
installed therein or thereon.
[0037] Additionally, the integral lighting assembly 20 of the
present invention is structured to provide an illumination region
50 in proximity to the user, and more in particular, immediately
proximate the user's head, when the illuminated eyeglass assembly
10 is disposed in an operative position on the user. In at least
one embodiment, the integral lighting assembly 20 is structured to
provide an illumination region 50 which is at least partially
defined by sufficiently illuminating an item within about an arm's
length of the user, i.e., approximately 2 to 4 feet from the user's
head, such that the user can perceptively view the item in a low
light environment, as is illustrated best in FIG. 5. For example,
the illuminated eyeglass assembly 10 of the present invention may
be utilized to provide an illumination region 50 which provides
sufficient illumination to a menu or a check such that the user is
able to read the same in a dimly lit restaurant or nightclub, i.e.,
sufficient illumination is defined by permitting the user to
perceptively view the menu or check such that it may be read.
Alternatively, the illumination region 50 may be such that it
provides sufficient illumination to permit a user to temporarily
view and read a ticket, an aisle or seat number, or a program in a
darkened theater. As another example, the illumination region 50
may be such that the integral lighting assembly 20 provides
sufficient illumination to a page of a book, a map, or other
reading material which the user is holding in a manner extended
outwardly from the user's body. Alternatively, the illumination
region 50 may be such that it illuminates one or more pieces of
equipment on which a user is working, which again, may be disposed
within an arm's length of the user, such that the user can readily
view the pieces. As will be appreciated from the foregoing,
numerous other instances of an illumination region 50 providing
"sufficient illumination" may be defined by the variety of low
light environments in which a user may find himself or herself, in
which a local source of illumination will prove beneficial or,
perhaps, indispensable to the user.
[0038] The integral lighting assembly 20 comprises at least one
light source 21. In at least one embodiment, the integral lighting
assembly 20 of the present invention comprises a plurality of light
sources 21. In the illustrative embodiments of the figures, a
different one of each of the plurality of light sources 21 is
mounted to an end of each temple member 18, adjacent a
corresponding interconnect 19 to the frame 12, such that the light
source is directed in a forward direction relative to the frame 12,
and correspondingly, relative to the user's head and eyes. Of
course, it is within the scope of the present invention for one or
more light sources 21 of the integral lighting assembly to be
mounted directly to the frame 12, such as on nosepiece 14 and/or
lens support members 15. As one example, a different one of each of
the plurality of light sources 21 is mounted to the distal end of
each of the lens support members 15. In yet another embodiment, a
different one of each of the plurality of light sources 21 are
mounted directly to a different one of each of the pair of lenses
16. In at least one embodiment, the frame 12 further comprises one
of more adornments such as, by way of example only, synthetic
gemstones, to assist in mounting the light source 21 to the frame
12 in an unobtrusive manner by further camouflaging the presence of
the light source 21, while it is not illuminated. As will be
appreciated from the foregoing, the present invention encompasses
numerous configurations for positioning one or more light sources
21 relative to the frame 12, temple members 18, and/or lenses
16.
[0039] The light source 21 or plurality of light sources 21 may
comprise any of the numerous micro-electronic lighting mechanisms
as are readily available, such as, for example, miniature
incandescent light bulbs. One embodiment of the present invention
utilizes one of more light emitting diodes as the light source 21.
The light emitting diode(s), in at least one embodiment, is
selected to maximize the illumination generated and provided to an
illumination region 50, such that the illumination region 50
comprises sufficient illumination for the user may perceptively
view an item at arm's length, i.e., 2 to 4 feet, in a low level
light environment, for example, sufficient illumination to permit
the user to read a menu or check in a dimly lit restaurant. Of
course, it will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the
light emitting diodes may be selected so as to project any one of a
variety of colors of light. Thus a color may be selected so as
further accentuate the appearance of the frames, to provide a
source of illumination which is soothing to the wearer.
[0040] The integral lighting assembly 20 of the present application
further comprises a power supply assembly 30, as illustrated best
in FIGS. 2 and 3. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the power supply
assembly 30 is structured to support a power source 33 in an
operative position and in an electrically communicative
relationship with a corresponding light source 21, thereby
permitting energization and illumination of the same. More in
particular, the power supply assembly 30 is structured and disposed
to support one or more batteries 33' in an operative disposition in
a battery compartment 32 disposed in a corresponding temple member
18.
[0041] In order to retain the power source 33 in an operative
disposition, the power supply assembly 30 further comprises a cover
34 disposed in an overlying relation to the battery compartment 32,
as illustrated in the figures. The cover 34 is movably, yet
securely positionable relative to the battery compartment 32
between a closed configuration, as illustrated in best FIG. 2, and
an open configuration, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In at least
one embodiment, the cover 34 is pivotably secured to the temple
member 18, as at pivot member 35, and is pivotably positionable
between the open and closed configurations.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, cover 34 comprises at least
one tab 36 structured to be received within slot 38 of the temple
member 18. More in particular, the slot 38 is structured to receive
one or more tabs 36 when the cover 34 is positioned to be disposed
into the closed configuration. FIG. 4 further illustrates the cover
34 comprising a contact member 37, wherein the contact member
defines at least a portion of the electrical circuit of the
illuminated lighting assembly 20. In at least one embodiment, the
contact member 37 is biased into contact with the power source 33,
and in one further embodiment, with one or more batteries 33', when
the cover 34 is disposed in the closed configuration. In one
further embodiment, the contact member 37 is biased so as to
facilitate retention of the cover in the closed configuration.
[0043] The integral lighting assembly 20, as noted above, comprises
at least one power source 33 structured to energize the at least
one light source 21 of the integral lighting assembly 20. In at
least one embodiment, the power source 33 comprises a battery 33',
as utilized in small electronic devices such as cameras and hearing
aids. In one preferred embodiment, the battery 33' is a replaceable
dry cell battery thereby allowing the user to extend the useful
life of the eyeglass assembly 10 of the present invention. In at
least one embodiment, the replaceable dry cell battery 33'
comprises a lithium battery having an output rating of 3 volts. The
illuminated eyeglass assembly 10 may include a plurality of power
sources 33, each structured to energize a different one of a
plurality of light sources 21 of the integral lighting assembly
20.
[0044] The integral lighting assembly 20 further comprises a switch
mechanism 25, such that the light source(s) 21 may be selectively
energized when the user desires an illumination region 50 to read
or otherwise view an item in a low light environment, as well as to
selectively de-energize the light source 21 when not in use, so as
to conserve the power source 33. In one embodiment, the switch
mechanism 25 comprises at least one pair of contact points
disposable between an open configuration and a closed
configuration. More specifically, the switch mechanism 25 at least
partially defines an electrical circuit between the light source
21, the power source 33, and wherein a path of flow of an electric
current from the power source 33 to at least one light source 21 is
through the contact points of the switch mechanism 25. The present
invention may utilize any one of the materials commonly utilized as
the conductor to provide electrical communication between the
various components of the electrical circuit.
[0045] One feature of the illuminated eyeglass assembly 10 of the
present invention is that the power supply assembly 30 and the
switch mechanism 25 are cooperatively structured and disposed in a
substantially imperceptible orientation relative to a third party
when the illuminated eyeglass assembly 10 is disposed in an
operative position on the user's head, as is illustrated best in
FIGS. 2 and 5.
[0046] As noted above, the switch mechanism 25 comprises a switch
member 27 structured to dispose the contact points between the open
configuration and the closed configuration. In at least one
embodiment, the switch member 27 is moveable, such that a contact
point mounted to the switch member 27 is movable into and out of
the closed configuration with another contact point, thereby
opening and closing the electrical circuit. Of course, it is
understood to be within the scope and intent of the present
application for any of a variety of switches to be utilized,
provided that they are installed and operable such that it remains
substantially imperceptible to a third party proximate a user.
[0047] FIGS. 6 through 12 are illustrative of an original and
ornamental design of one embodiment of an illuminated eyeglass
assembly in accordance with the present invention.
[0048] Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail
can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention,
it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and
shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative
and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention
should be determined by the appended claims and their legal
equivalents.
* * * * *